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Chalk up one for open records, transparency

The case grew out of the failed effort to create a “megasite” on 1,800 acres off Interstate 81, which involved the Economic Development Oversight Committee for Jefferson County notifying local farmers and landowners they were to be part of the project.

Chalk up one for open records, transparency

That's my crude translation of an appeals court decision that is a major victory for open records and transparent government. If a local government sets up an agency, funds it with tax dollars and it performs a government function, then it's subject to the open records law. Justice Charles Susano, writing for the majority, says it is the court's duty to broadly construe and interpret the Public Records and Open Meetings Acts to hold governments accountable.

The case grew out of the failed effort to create a “megasite” on 1,800 acres off Interstate 81, which involved the Economic Development Oversight Committee for Jefferson County notifying local farmers and land owners they were to be part of the project. Hell ensued.

A group of property owners sued, arguing that the EDOC was making decisions and acting as a government agency without any accountability. The agency hired a Knoxville PR firm to develop talking points, and the PR firm helped organize members to ensure that they recruited people to attend county commission meetings to lobby for the project. The agency hired an engineering firm, a real estate firm and a consultant in the auto industry. The suit alleges that all this was going on before the county commission had approved spending the money.

Knoxville attorney Scott Hurley, who represents the property owners, says the megasite proposal was conceived in secret and without the knowledge of county taxpayers. The suit argued that the agency functioned as a de facto government agency when it put the proposal together before springing it on the landowners.

It will be interesting to see what the statewide ramifications of the decision will be. Industrial development groups are notoriously secretive, with agents optioning or buying up farm land and then announcing projects.

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INSTITUTIONAL CONTROL: Two years ago the University of Missouri lost control of the campus to rioters. The football team went on strike until the president resigned. Now, freshman enrollment is down 35 percent, 400 jobs have been cut and seven dorms have been shuttered.

With Stephen Colbert as host, you knew the Emmys would be one long bashing of President Donald Trump. They immediately lost half the country – add people who like Trump to people who are tired of listening to that crap. The show had one of lowest ratings ever.

NFL owners have lost control of their kneeling team members and have angered fans who don't want to see politics mixing with sports. TV ratings and ticket sales are down and are likely to get worse. Liberal ESPN commentary is losing thousands of subscribers.

Anybody see a pattern here?

Frank Cagle is a columnist and former managing editor of the News Sentinel. He may be reached at efrankcagle@yahoo.com.